January 14, 2019 - meraapnabihar

Tourist places in Munger

Introduction

Munger district has a unique historical background. The areas falling under this district are considered a part of the first Aryan settlers’ midland. It has been identified with Modagiri, a place mentioned in the epic Mahabharat. It was the capital of a kingdom in eastern India near Bhanga and Tamralipta. There is also a mention of Modagiri in the ‘Digvijay Parva’ of the Mahabharata, which seems to be the same as Modagiri.

The first authentic historical account of the district finds a mention in the memoirs of Xuanzang who visited a part of this district towards the close of the first half of the seventh century AD.
A copper plate known as the ‘Munger Plate’ was discovered in Munger way back in 1780. Mir Kasim conquered Munger and made it his capital till the army of East India Company captured Munger. MirKasim had to flee through a tunnel made along the bank of river Ganga near Kastharni Ghat.

Places of Interest

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Bihar Yoga Bharati

It is located within the Ganga Darshan Complex in Munger on a powerful energy centre, about 172 km from Patna. It is on the top of the hill overlooking the river Ganga.

It was Swami Shivanand who first had the vision of a yoga university when he established the Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy in Rishikesh. Paramhansa Satyanand, who established the Ganga Darshan Complex in Munger, carried his inspiration forward. He has founded and established the Bihar Yoga Bharati, the yoga university, to preserve and regenerate yogic science. The university imparts comprehensive yogic education and offers MA, MPhil, PhD and DLitt.

Munger Fort

The most important of the monuments at Munger is the ancient fort, built on a rocky eminence projecting into the river Ganges that protects it from west and partly from the north, the other sides being defended by a deep moat. The rampart was provided with four gateways, one on each side, and with circular or octagonal bastions, at regular intervals, carrying the usual battlements. of the gates only the northern gate, called Lal Darwaza, is somewhat preserved, with some carved stones built into it, which originally belonged to some Hindu or Buddhist structure.

Bheembandh

Inside the deep Kharagpur forest, 50 km away from the district HQ, there’s this scenic spot with a natural waterfall surrounded by hills from three sides.

Red Fort

It’s a historic fort, similar to the Red Fort of Delhi and Agra. It has original bricks and ancientstructurebut it is bereft of its original tower clock which got dismantled during the 1934 earthquake.

Chandisthan

It’s a small temple situated in the cave of a hillock on the northern flank of river Ganga, three km from the district HQ. A large number of devotees worship the eyeball that is fitted inside the temple and revere it as the eye of goddess Parvati. legend has it that this is the site where one of the eyes of Goddedss Parvati fell while her body was being carried by lord Shiva on his shoulder. Astrologers and tantriks from across the country gather here during Navaratra in September-October every year for meditation.

Shaheed Bag

It is believed that the maximum number of freedom fighters who laid their lives during the 1942 movement belonged to Munger. Several young boys were killed at Tarapur by the Tommies while they were hoisting the Tricolour. There’s a Shaheed Bag inside the fort premises to commemorate the historic event.

Peer Naph

The body of an ancient Sufi fakir is believed to be buried on a hillock on the southern gate of Munger Fort. This place has been renovated and a magnificent mosque has come up there. It is known as Peer Napha Saheb’s mosque. Hundreds of persons pay their respect at this mosque, especially on Fridays.

FAIRS& FESTIVALS

Maaghi Purnima Mela

The fair is held at Sita Kund every year for a month, beginning on the Maaghi Purnima day. This fair is famous for sale of wooden furniture of all varieties at affordable prices. Traders from Katihar, Purnia and Saharsa in Bihar and UP and Assam participate in the fair along with their products.

Shivaratri Mela

It is an important fair. Elephants and horses are adorned with ancient attires and costumes. lakhs of people assemble here on Maha shivaratri to watch a special play based on the mythological marriage of lord Shiva with goddess Parvati.

Sita-Kund

It’s a hot water spring, the water of which cools only for an hour on the day of Maaghi Purnima. But no one knows at what time the water cools. This hot spring, six km from the district HQ, is now enclosed in a masonry reservoir and is visited by a large number of pilgrims every day, particularly during the full moon of Maagh.

HOW TO REACH

By Air:

Nearest Airport
Jamalpur Junction is the main railway station from where Munger, the district HQ, is situated at a distance of six km. Buses, private taxis and three wheelers ply round the clock from Jamalpur to Munger. Munger is also connected by road to major cities of Bihar

By Rail:

Nearest railhead
Jamalpur

By Road:
Connected by good roads with all Indian cities.

Where to Stay:
State Tourism Corporation’s and Private Hotels, Rest houses and Dharmshalas at Munger.
Hotel Raj, STD Code: 06152, Phone: 228731, 225376
Centre Point, STD Code: 06152, Phone: 220600
Sitaria Hotel, STD Code: 06152, Phone: 222508, 228209
Hotel Namita, STD Code: 06152, Phone: 228680
Murari Hotel, STD Code: 06152, Phone: 261289

In Emergency, Contact, STD Code: 06152
District Magistrate: 222401 (Res), 222402 (Off)
Superintendent of Police: 222405 (Res), 222406 (Off)
Sub-divisional Officer: 222403

Medical Emergencies,Contact, STD Code: 06152
Government Sadar Hospital: 220568
Sevayan Nursing Home: 220412
Dr. K.K.Bajpayee: 222888
Dr. Anirudh Prasad: 222334
Dr. Sunil Gupta: 226539
Dr. Rana Pratap Singh: 222853
Dr. Rupa Prasad: 222746, 222398
Dr. Sunil Kumar Singh: 222173, 221364
Dr. Jogendra Kumar: 9430449751
Dr. Sudhir Prasad: 222714
Dr. J.D.Singh: 222608
Dr. R.K.Gupta: 220177
Dr. J.D.Singh: 222608
Dr. R.K.Gupta: 220177

Local Transport:
Auto rickshaws, Cycle-rickshaws, tangas.

Tourist Season
October to March.

Clothing:
Light cotton in summer and woolen in winter (specially during November to January).

Tourist places in Muzaffarpur

Introduction

Muzaffarpur’s recorded history dates back to the rise of Vajji republic, a confederation of eight clans of which the Lichchhavis were the most powerful and influential. The unity among the Lichchhavis was so strong that the royalty of even the powerful kingdom of Magadh had to go for matrimonial alliances with members of the Lichchhavi clans in 519 BC.

Besides being a seat of one the oldest republics of the world, Muzaffarpur is also believed’ by some Jains to be the birthplace of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Jain Tirthankar. Also, this is the place where Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. Lord Mahavir and Lord Buddha were contemporaries.

The birthplace of Lord Mahavir at Baso Kund under the Saraiya block of Muzaffarpur district has a full-fledged Prakrit Institute which attracts visitors, mainly followers of Jainism, from abroad. Ambarati, which is believed to be the village home of Amrapali, the famous cour dancer of Vaishali, also attracts many. It is 40 km away from Muzaffarpur town.
Muzaffarpur also boasts of having maintained communal harmony since the medieva period. Not a single Hindu-Muslim riot has ever taken place in Muzaffarpur
The place is also associated with the first bomb exploded during India’s freedom move ment. The bomb was exploded by a young revolutionary from Bengal, Khudiram Bose, all of 1 years, with the help of his companion Prafulla Chandra Chaki. Khudiram threw the bomb at the horse-driven carriage of Pringle Kennedy, mistaking him for Muzaffarpur’s district judge Khudiram was captured near the Pusa Road railway station and subsequently hanged to death in the Muzaffarpur jail. Post-freedom, the railway station and the jail have been named afte Khudiram.
Muzaffarpur is famous all over the world for the Shahi litchi grown here. It is because of the unique soil in Bochaha and Mushahari blocks of the district that Shahi litchi has a scent and sweetness which is not found in any other variety of the fruit.

Places of Interest

Litchi gardens of Bochaha, Jhapaha and Mushahari from the first week of April to the second week of May. They are located in a radius of five to seven km from Muzaffarpur.

Jubba Sahni Park, Gandhi Koop on L S College campus, Kamal Shah Mazaar in Purani Bazar, Garib Sthan Mandir, Ramna Devi Mandir and Baglamukhi Mandir in Kachchisarai, all in Muzaffarpur town, are also worth seeing.

One can also visit the National Litchi Research Centre at Rahua, five km from Muzaffarpur town, to know more about litchi.


HOW TO REACH

By Air:

Nearest Airport
The distance between Muzaffarpur and Patna is 60 km, and one can take a bus or hire a taxi from Patna to reach Muzaffarpur.

By Rail:

Nearest railhead
Muzaffarpur

By Road:
Connected by good roads with all Indian cities.

Where to Stay:
State Tourism Corporation’s and Private Hotels, Rest houses and Dharmshalas at Muzaffarpur
Hotel Elite, Phone: 0621-2245353
Hotel Lichchhavi, Phone: 0621-2268512
Chandralok Continental, Phone: 0621-2245911

WHERE TO EAT There are several motels and dhabas in and around Muzaffarpur.

Local Transport:
Auto rickshaws, Cycle-rickshaws, tangas.

In Emergency, Contact
District Magistrate: 0621-2212101
Superintendent of Police: 0621-2217797
Town Police Station: 0621-2245252

Medical Emergencies,Contact
Dr. Birendra Kishore (Surgeon): 0621-2212485
Dr. T.K.Jha (Physician): 0621-2261425
Dr. B.B.Thakur (Physician): 9431238285
Dr. Rangila Sinha (Gynaecologist): 0621-2213938

Tourist Season
October to March.

Clothing:
Light cotton in summer and woolen in winter (specially during November to January).

Tourist places in Nalanda

Introduction The ancient town in Bihar was once home to the world’s first university for higher learning. Nalanda is about 90 km southeast of Patna. Nalanda means “giver of knowledge”.
The university at Nalanda began as a Buddhist monastery. Lord Buddha stayed at Nalanda several times in the local mango grove.

Lord Mahavir is also believed to have attained ‘moksha’ at Pawapuri, which is located in Nalanda. Also, according to one sect of Jainism, he was born in the nearby village, Kundalpur.
Interestingly, there’s a Nalanda Buddhist Centre (NBC) in Brazil. Set up in 1989, the centre was so named as a tribute to the great legacy of Nalanda, The NBC was the second Theravada Buddhist tradition centre set up in Brazil 22 years after the Sri Lankan temple was first established.

Places of Interest

WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Ruins of ancient Nalanda

The university of Nalanda was established in 450 AD under the patronage of the Gupta emperors, notably Kumaragupta. It was one of the world’s first residential universities. Its dormitories accommodated over 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers.

The Nalanda varsity had eight separate compounds and ten temples besjdes many meditation halls and classrooms. There were also lakes and parks. The subjects taught at the university covered every field of learning, and it attracted pupils and scholars from as far as Korea, Japan, China, Tibet, Indonesia and Turkey, among other countries.

Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang has given a detailed account of the university. The terracotta seal of Nalanda University has been put on display in the ASI Museum at Nalanda.

Pawapuri

Lord Mahavir attained ‘nirvana’ (salvation from the endless cycle of life and death) at Pawapuri,and thus the placeis a holy site for Jains.It is located 38 km from Rajgir in Nalanda district and 90 km from Patna,and it was here that Lord Mahavir,the last of the 24 Jain Tirthankars,breathed his last around 500 BC. He was cremated at Pawapuri,also known as APapuri (the sinless town).

There was a great rush to collect his ashes,and, as a result, so much soil was removed from the place of his cremation that a pond was created.Now, an exquisite marble temple, Jalmandir, stands magnificently on a rectangular island in the middle of the pond.

There’s another Jain temple, Samosharan, here. This is the placewhere Lord Mahavir delivered his last sermon

Kundalpu
Just 1.6 km from the ruins of Nalanda is this place called Kundalpur. The Digambar sect of Jains believes that the 24th and the last Tirthankar, Lord Mahavir, was born here. There are many Jain temples in this village.

Multimedia Museum

India’s first multimedia museum was opened here on January26, 2008. It has a section that recreates the history of Nalanda using a 3D animation film with narration by TV and movie actor Shekhar Suman. There are four more sections in the Multimedia Museum Geographical Perspective Historical Perspective,Hall o Nalanda and Revival o Nalanda.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Museum
Nalanda,the archaeological museum set up in 1917, housesthe antiquities,mainly those excavated from the earliest university cum monastery complex at Nalanda and from Rajgir. Out of 13,463 antiquities, 349 are on display in the four galleries of the museum. The antiquities from Nalanda are datable from 5th to 12th century AD but some of those from Rajgir are a little older. The sculptures kept in this museum are made of stone, bronzes, stucco and terracotta but majority of those have been carved on basalt stone.
Most of the idols belong to the Buddhist faith but there are also those belonging to Jain and Hindu religions.
A scale model of excavated remains of Nalanda university occupies the central place of the hall. There are 57 idols and sculptures displayed in the first gallery.
Opening hour:10 am to 5 pm
Friday closed
Entrance fee: Rs 2 per head
Free entry for children up to 15 years

Xuanzang Memorial Hall

A memorial has been built and named after the Chinese traveller and scholar monk, Xuanzang, who was a student at Nalanda and subsequently became a teacher at the ancient Nalanda Mahavihara.The magnificent hall is located barely 1.3 km away from the ruins of Nalanda.
It was in January 1957 that India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, on behalf of the government of India, received the relics of Xuanzang along with his biographyand an endowment for the construction of a hall in his memory from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lamaof Tibet. The initiative was aimed at enhancingthe cultural relationship between India and China. The construction work started in 1960 and was completed in 1984. The relics of Xuanzang have been preserved in the Patna Museum.

HOW TO REACH

The road between Patna and Ragir-Nalanda-Pawapuri is in excellent condition. Private and state transport buses ply between Patna and Biharsharif, the district HQ town of Nalanda. Tempos or horse-driven carts can be hired from Biharsharif for Rajgir. Alternatively, one can hire a taxi from Patna to Rajgir-Nalanda-Pawapuri. There’s also a direct train between Delhi and Nalanda. Called Shramjeevi Express (2391 Up/2392 Dn), it runs via Patna.

By Air:

Nearest Airport
Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport, Patna, 100 km away.


By Rail:

Nearest railhead
Nalanda.

By Road:
Connected by good roads with all major cities of India.

Where to Stay:
There are several hotels in and around Rajgir. Apart from hotels, tourists can opt for tourist bungalows or government-owned hotels or guest houses

Indo-Hokke Hotel (3-star facilities), Phone: 255231, Fax: 255245
Rajgir Residency (2-star facilities), Phone: 255404, Fax: 255405
Hotel Tathagat Vihar, Phone: 255176, Fax: 255176
Hotel Siddhartha, Phone: 255216, Fax: 255352

Emergency, Contact

Nalanda District Magistrate: 235203, 235204, Fax: 235205
Nalanda Superintendent of Police: 235207, Fax: 233978
Rajgir Dy Superintendent of Police: 255461
Rajgir Police Station: 255258

Medical Emergencies, Contact Rajgir Hospital: 255102

Local Transport:
Auto rickshaws, Cycle-rickshaws, tangas.

Tourist Season
From October to February. From mid-December to the end of January, temperature here ranges from 5 degree C to 15 degree C. May and June are hot and the mercury goes up to 46 degree C. It’s monsoon time towards the end of June.

Clothing:
Light cotton in summer and woolen in winter (specially during November to January).

Tourist places in Nawada

Introduction

Situated on the National Highway-31 on Patna-Ranchi main road, some 120 km away from Bihar capital Patna, Nawada is a place of historical and mythological significance. Half of the Nawada district’s land is surrounded by forests and hills and several important places, like Kakolat Falls, offer a panoramic and pleasant natural sight to the tourists visiting Nawada.

The legend has it that Nawada was visited by Pandavas of the Mahabharata fame during their exile. Historians in their writings have acknowledged and discussed the discovery of several monuments, statues and coins of the Mauryan, Sunga, Pala and Mughal periods in different parts of the district. One can have a dekko at these finds, preserved in the Nardah Museum at Nawada town, the district HQ.

Peasant leader Swami Sahajanand made this district his workplace while Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan or JP, whose historic ‘Total Revolution’ call in 1970s led to the formation of the first non-Congress government in New Delhi, had his ‘Sarvodaya Ashram’ at Shekhodeora in the district’s Kauakol block.

Places of Interest

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Sarvodaya Ashram

This Ashram, established by Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, is 55 km away from the district HQ and is located in the forests at Shekhodeora village. Endowed with very natural and scenic beauty, the place had been a home to JP for quite some time.

Tourist inquiries about the Ashram can be made from 9934082815.

Nardah Museum

Nardah Museum is one of the prominent museums of Bihar with a very rich collection of ancient artifacts adorning its shelves. Several statues and coins of the Mauryan, Sunga, Pala and Mughal eras have been preserved at this museum, opened in 1973 soon after Nawada was carved out of Gaya as a separate district.

Kakolat

Kakolat Falls is a popular water falls of the district that attracts people from different parts of the country for picnicking in the summer. Water here falls from approximately 150 ft above the ground level into a well maintained pond at Kakolat, 33 km from the district HQ. It is surrounded by lush green forests, which add to its beauty.

This is the place which, according to the legend, was visited by the great Pandavas during exile. Also, a mythological king, cursed by a saint to take the shape of a python, got salvation after bathing in the water here. Having gotrid of the curse, the king proclaimed that those who would take a bath in the waterfall would never be reborn as a snake. A large number of people from far and near make it a point to take a bath under the falls due to this belief.

Tourist inquiries about Kakolat can be made from 9334610352.

Gunawan Jain Temple

One of the holiest temples of Jains, this temple is located one km away from the district HQ on the National Highway-31.

Handia Sun Temple

This temple, 12 km from Nawada town, is believed to have existed since the ‘Dwapar Age’. The legend has it that the water in the temple is sacred enough to cure leprosy patients.

Sitamarhi Cave

The Sitamarhi Cave is situated in a remote part of the district, about 30 km from the district HQ on the Gaya-Nawada main road, The cave is about 16 ft long and 11 ft wide.

HOW TO REACH

Nawada is connected with rail link, but the neighbouring Gaya Junction is better connected with all major cities. Alternatively, one can reach Patna and hire a taxi to Nawada.

It is advisable to make Nawada a part of the package tour of Gaya, Nalanda and Rajgir because all these places are located in a radius of 100 km and are connected with good, motorable roads.

By Air:

Nearest Airport
Gaya and Patna

By Rail:

Nearest railhead
Nawada

By Road:
Connected by good roads with all Indian cities.

Where to Stay:
Private Hotels, Rest houses and Dharmshalas at Bihar Sharif/Nawada/Rajgir

Hotel Krishna Palace, STD Code: 06324, Phone: 9934747163, 216149
AC and nol’1-AC rooms available for Rs 250.R5 400 per day per room.
Hotel Rajshree International, STD Code: 06324, Phone: 215211, 9431227029
AC and non-AC rooms available for Rs 250-Rs 600 per day per room.

WHERE TO EAT Dozens of restaurants, motels and dhabas are around. The food at these places is not very costly.

Local Transport:
Auto rickshaws, Cycle-rickshaws, tangas.

In Emergency, Contact, STD Code: 06324
District Magistrate: 212240, 212253, 9431413443
Superintendent of Police: 212263, 214389, 9430410983

Medical Emergencies,Contact, STD Code: 06324
Civil surgeon: 212270, 9431227180
Sadar Hospital: 217579
Dr. Akhilesh k Mohan (Paediatrician): 9431251709
Dr. Prabhakar Singh (Physician): 9431831409
Dr. A.K.Arun (Physician): 9431257217
Dr. Madhu Sinha (Gynaecologist): 9771700421

Tourist Season
October to March.

Clothing:
Light cotton in summer and woolen in winter (specially during November to January).

Tourist places in Rohtas

Introduction

Sasaram, the headquarters town of Rohtas district, is steeped in history. It is an important railway station between Mughalsarai and Gaya. The station has a stoppage of all the important trains. The Grand Trunk Road also passes through the town.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Tomb of Sher Shah
The magnificent mausoleum of Sher Shah in the town is one of the noblest specimens of Pathan architecture in India. It stands in the middle of a tank.

Rohtas Fort

One of the most interesting places in Bihar is the ancient hill fort situated on Kaimur hills, some 1490 ft above sea level. It is 70 km away from Sasaram.

Tomb of Hasan Khan Suri

In the centre of the historical town is the mausoleum of Hasan Khan Suri, the father of Emperor Sher Shah (1538 AD).The tomb consists of an octagonal hall surmounted by a large dome and is surrounded by an arcade which is crowned on each side by three small domes.

Tomb of Salim Shah

In the middle of a large tank, about half a mile to the north-west of Shershah’s tomb, is situated the tomb of his son, Emperor Salim Shah.

Tomb of Alawal Khan

Outside the town to the south is the tomb of Alawal Khan. Khan was the officer in charge of the building of Sher Shah’s mausoleum and took advantage of his position to appropriate the finest stone for his own tomb.

Mundeshwari Mandir

Mundeshwari temple is one of the oldest Hindu monuments in Bihar. It is located on the summit of an isolated hill, seven miles north west of Bhabhua, the headquarters town of Kaimur district. Kaimur is adjacent to Rohtas. The nearest railway station is Bhabhua Road. The temple is in the shape of an octagon. Octagonal ground plan for a temple is rather rare.

HOW TO REACH

By Air:

Nearest Airport
Jaiprakash Narayan International Airport, Patna (147kms) Gaya International Airport, Gaya (About 125 kms)

By Rail:

Nearest railhead
Sasaram

By Road:
Connected by good roads with all Indian cities.

Where to Stay:
Hotel Sher Shah, a unit of Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation, Phone: 221267 AC rooms and restaurant facility available
Hotel Gopal Deluxe, Phone: 224366
Hotel Jaya, Phone: 221277
Hotel Vijay, Phone: 222323

Emergency, Contact

District Magistrate: 222226 (Off), 222224 (Res), 9431632414 (Mobile)
Superintendent of Police: 253204 (Off), 253205 (Res), 9431822978 (Mobile)

Medical Emergencies,Contact Anjani Arogya Institution: 221215
Civil Surgeon: 222039
Chauhan Fracture Nursing Home: 222101
Gayatri Nursing Home: 222488

Local Transport:
Auto rickshaws, Cycle-rickshaws, tangas.

Tourist Season:
October to March.

Clothing:
Light cotton in summer and woolen in winter (specially during November to January).

Tourist places in Saharsa

Introduction

Saharsa, now a divisional headquarter situated nearly 272 km away from the state capital Patna, was a part of Bhagalpur district in the pre-independence days. Carved out as a separate district in April 1954, Saharsa has been a place of attraction for the tourists mainly because of its historical, religious and cultural heritage.

In 1905,a copper platewas discovered from Bangaon village which is said to have brought to light a new history of the Pala dynasty. Archaeological remains are scattered in different parts of the district.

Places of Interest

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Mahishi TaraTemple

Seventeen km from Saharsa,Mahishi village is known for an ancient temple of goddess Ugra Tara which is also believed to be a Shakti peetha.The legend has it that the right eye of Sati had fallen here.The temple has a three-ft-Iong statue of Tara,accompaniedby two other deities, Ekjataand Neel Saraswati,on the two sides.

The temple is associated with Tantrik cult where saints and other devotees from far and wide acrossthe country assemble during the ten-day-Iong Sharadiya Navaratra for penance. Although devotees from various parts of the country visit the place throughout the year,the main attraction of the temple is Dussehrain September-October during which more than one lakh people come here to worship the goddess.

Mandan Dham

Mahishi village takes pride in being the birthplace of legendary 8th century scholarand philosopher Pundit Mandan Mishra. He along with his wife Bharati made precious contributions to Indian philosophy. It is said Mandan was the senior contemporary of Adi Shankaracharya. During his ideological conquest for the propagation of sanatandharma, Adi 5 hankaracharya visited Mahishi for a philosophical debate with Mandan.

The birth place of Mandan is an upland, though barren where people from various states, particularly those in south India, come to salute the scholar whose books Brahmasiddhi, Meemansanukramanika and Vidhi Vivek,to namea few, are the gems of Indian philosophy.

Mandan’s better half, Bharati,was also a scholar par excellence and sheis believed to have once defeated Shankaracharya in debate.

Kandaha Sun Temple

About 13 km west to the district HQ of Saharsa,Kandahais a sleepy hamlet known for antiquities.There’s a temple of sungod here in which nearly three-and-a-half-feet-Iong and and three-feet-wide statue of sungod is exquisitely shown riding seven horses with many other deities on both sides.

The peculiarity of the temple is an inscription on the marginal threshold of the sanctum sancto- rum which, already deciphered, establishes that the temple dates back to the 14th century. The emple, built by the king of the Oinwar dynasty, Narsingh Deo, a contemporary of Maithili poet Vidyapati, is the only sun temple n Bihar after the famous temple at Deo in Aurangabad district. There are two wells on the temple premises, namely Suryakoop and Chandrakoop, the sacred water of which is believed to have curative effects for leprosy and other skin diseases.

Bangaon

About nine km from Saharsa, Bangaon is an ancient village dominated by Maithil Brahmins. But the village is better known as the workplace of well-known 18th century saint poet laxmi Nath Gosai. He was a yogi,a saint and a poet who wrote and. sang religious songs which are still sung by the people of the area with great reverence. The goddess Durga temple at Bangaonis also a centre of attraction where a large number of people offer their prayers during the Navratrain September-October

Dewna Deeh

Close to Bangaon, Dewna Deeh is known for the lord Shiva temple situated here. There are many other deities in the temple.

Karu Sthan

Situated on the bank of Kosi river and hardly two km away from Mahishi Tara Sthan is a temple of folk-god Karu Khirhari who was a fighter, a yogi and a devotee of lord Shiva. He was also a great lover of domestic animals, particularly cows. Out of his reverence for lord Shiva, he had named his cows as Mahesri, Kusesri, Nakuchesri, Umesri etc. It is said Karu Baba had sacrificed his life to save a cow from a tiger.

People from various parts of Bihar and Nepal visit this temple and offer milk, vegetable and ganja to Karu Baba. On the day of Saptami during Navaratra, the temple is jampacked with tourists from far and wide. Such a huge quantity of milk is offered to Karu Baba that day that every one reaching there is fed ‘tasmai’, a special dish prepared by mixing rice in pure milk.

Biratpur Chandi Sthan

In ascetic circles, Tara Temple at Mahishi, Katyayaini Temple near Dhamar Ghat in Khagaria district and Chandi Temple at Biratpur village under Sonbarsa block of Saharsa district form a holy triangle (trikonyantra) which is of special reverence in the Tantrik cult of worship. Goddess Chandi is another form or incarnation of goddess Durga. Nearly 35 km away from Saharsa, Biratpur is also associated with the Mahabharata legend of King Birat. There is a big mound near the temple which is believed to be the place where the Pandavas had lived for twelve years during their exile.

Matsyagandha Complex & Raktakali Temple

A separate temple of 64 mahayoginis, believed to be rare in India and sacred in Hindu pantheon, is the special attraction of the site where also exists a beautiful temple of Raktakali, built on the pattern of monastery architecture. There’s also a huge pond which offers water sport facilities. The opening of a tourist hotel, Hotel Koshi Bihar, has added to the attraction of this spot. People come from different places for offering puja to the goddess Kali during Diwali festival. The state government celebrates the occasion as a state festival.

HOW TO REACH:

Saharsa has been connected with road and rail links. There are two daily trains from Patna, two weekly and bi-weekly trains from Delhi and a tri-weekly train from Kolkatato Saharsa. Peoplealso come to Saharsaby road asthe place has been linked with the national highway.

By Air:

Nearest Airport:
Gaya International Airport (About 308 kms) Jaiprakash Narayan International Airport, Patna (234kms).

By Rail:

Nearest railhead
Dauram Madhepura

By Road:
Connected by good roads with all Indian cities.

Where to Stay:

Government Circuit House
PWD Inspection Bungalow
Kosi Project Inspection Bungalow
Hotel Kosi Bihar
(Owned by Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation) Hotel Kosi Niwas
Hotel Vijeya
Hotel Embassy
Hotel Satkar
AC and non-AC rooms are available with tariff being moderate.

WHERE TO EAT: Dozens of local hotels, restaurants and dhabas are there in the city.
Government Circuit House
PWD Inspection Bungalow
Koshi Project Inspection Bungalow
Hotel Kosi Bihar (Owned by Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation)
Hotel Kosi Niwas
Hotel Vijeya
Hotel Embassy
Hotel Satkar

Local Transport:
Auto rickshaws, Cycle-rickshaws, tangas.

In Emergency, Contact, STD Code: 06478
Divisional Commissioner: 224984 (Off), 223604 (Res), 9431243377
Deputy Inspector General of Police: 223488 (Off), 223688 (Res), 9431012708
District Magistrate: 224102 (Off), 223601 (Res), 9431243600
Superintendent of Police: 224556 (Off), 225554 (Res), 9431602642

Medical Emergencies,Contact, STD Code:06478
Dr. A.K.Issar: 223525, 225291
Dr. Anil Kumar Pathak: 223673, 223693, 9431243002
Dr. A.K.Mishra: 224314
Dr. B.N.Mishra: 224696
Dr. A.K.Choudhary: 224620, 223363

Tourist Season:
October to March.

Clothing:
Light cotton in summer and woolen in winter (specially during November to January).

Tourist places in Samastipur

Introduction

Samastipur became a district on November 14, 1972. Earlier it was a subdivision of the Darbhanga district. The district is surrounded by Darbhanga in north, Patna in south, Begusarai in east and Muzaffarpur and Vaishali in west. It has four sub-divisional towns, Samastipur, Dalsingsarai, Patori and Rosera.

There is no forest area in the district. Most of the people are dependent on agriclulture. Cash crops like tobacco, cane, chilli, turmeric and different types of vegetables are grown here.

Samastipur district is known for reputed research institutes like Rajendra Agriculture University,Central Tobacco Research Institute and Central Cane Research Institute. Riverssuch as Burhi Gandak,Kareh,Kamla and Bagmatiflow through the district.

Places of Interest

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Mannipur Temple

A temple of goddess Durga, it is situated about 2 km from the district HQ town, Samastipur. Thousands of devotees throng this temple during Dussehra celebrations in September-October.

Khudneshwar Sthan

It is located at Morwa, about 15 km from Samastipur town.

Khatushyam Mandir

A temple of Lord Krishna, situated near Gola Road in Samastipur.The temple witnesses a huge rush of devotees during Janmashtami celebrations.

HOW TO REACH

Samastipur is connected with National Highway – 28 by road. It is one of the divisional head quarters of East Central Railway. The distance between Samastipur and Patna is 180 km.

By Air:

Nearest Airport
Jaiprakash Narayan International Airport, Patna (98 kms) Gaya International Airport, Gaya (About 195 kms)

By Rail:

Nearest railhead
Samastipur

By Road:
Connected by good roads with all Indian cities.

Where to Stay:
Hotel Sagar International, Rambabu Chowk, Samastipur. Phone: 225908
AC and non-AC rooms and suites available;tariff ranging from Rs 400 to Rs 1,500.
Hotel Swarg, Magardahighat Road, Samastipur. Phone: 225603
AC and non-AC rooms and deluxe rooms available;tariff ranging from Rs 350 to Rs 1,650.
There are many roadside dhabas offering good food at nominal rates.

Emergency, Contact

District Magistrate: 222300 (Off), 222301 (Res), 9431807123 (Mobile)
Superintendent of Police:222034 (Off), 222350 (Res), 9431822993 (Mobile) Town Police Station: 222533

Medical Emergencies, Contact Dr A K Aditya: 222868, 9431089697
DR A K Sahu: 222269, 9431245957
Dr G C Karn: 223252, 9431245151
Dr R RJha: 223711, 9431245345
Dr Sarojini Issar:222267
Dr ShabnamGupta:222862, 9431245345

Local Transport:
Auto rickshaws, Cycle-rickshaws, tangas.

Tourist Season:
October to March.

Clothing:
Light cotton in summer and woolen in winter (specially during November to January).

Tourist places in Saran

Introduction

Prior to bifurcation of Siwan and Gopalganj districts in 1992, Saran district with its HQ at Chhapra was one of the biggest and oldest districts of Bihar. The meaning of the word “Saran” corresponds to “asylum” or “refuge” in English. Chinese traveller Xuanzang also refers to Saran in his memoirs.
By 1666, the Dutch established their trade in saltpetre at Chhapra. Prior to 1905, Saran was part of Bengal, Orissa and Assam. It continued to be part of Orissa till 1936.

Places of Interest

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Sonepur

Situated at the confluence of holy rivers Ganga and Gandak, the place is important because it was here that Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are said to have resolved the fight between Gaj (elephant) and Grah (crocodile). World famous Harihar Kshetra Mela, organised every year at this place, has been the centre of attraction for domestic and foreign visitors for years. The place is about 50 km east of Chhapra town, 10 km west of Hajipur town and about 30 km south of Patna. It is well connected by road and rail.

Aami

It is the place where Maharaja Daksha and King Surat practised asceticism. This place has been famous for the temple of goddess Durga. It is located 28 km east of Chhapra town and about 50 km west of Patna. The nearest railway station is Dighwara.

Chirand

It is situated 10 km east of Chhapra, the district HQ of the Saran district, and the same distance south off the Sonepur-Chhapra road. The discovery of the neolithic culture in 1970 in the Ganga valley was very significant as till then no neolithic signs had been found in course of archaeological excavations in northern India. In Chirand, we have for the first time a neolithic complex in low-lying plains with monsoon climate. ‘Bangali Baba Ka Mathia’ here is an added attraction.

Silhouri

Situated about 26 km north of Chhapra, this is the place where Indra and Yamraj took a test of King Shivi. The nearest railway station is Marhoura on Chhapra-Thawe rail route.

Revelganj

It is situated on Chhapra-Gazipur National Highway. There are several temples located between eight and thirteen km from Chhapra. Srinath Temple is one of the important places. On the eve of Kartik Purnima, a month-long fair, Godhna Semaria Mela’, is organised here every year.

Chhapra Town

Dharmanath temple, Peerbaba Ka Mazar, Ramkrishna Mission Ashram and Parwati Ashram are some of the important places of the town.

SONS OF THE SOIL

Among the celebrities and freedom fighters, India’s first president Dr Rajendra Prasad, Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, Maulana Mazharul Haque, Bhikhari Thakur, Padmashree folk singer Vindhyavasini Devi all belong to Saran.

HOW TO REACH

By Air:

Nearest Airport
Jaiprakash Narayan International Airport, Patna (77 kms) Gaya International Airport, Gaya (About 174 kms)

By Rail:

Nearest railhead:
Chhapra is well con-nected by road and rail. Chhapra Junction is one of the important stations of North Eastern Railway.

Buses ply regularly from Patna, Hajipur and Muzaffarpur to Chhapra. Roads are in good condition. It’s a two-hour drive from Patna.

By Road:
Connected by good roads with all Indian cities.

Where to Stay:
Hotel Ramdoot, Hotel Coffee House, Hotel Guru Mahima, Hotel Plaza and Hotel Rajasthan are some of the important hotels at Chhapra where rooms are available at moderate rates.

WHERE TO EAT: Mac-Ronalds, Zayaka, Dejee and Nakshtra are some of the important eateries of Chhapra town.

Local Transport:
Auto rickshaws, Cycle-rickshaws, tangas.

Tourist Season:
October to March.

Clothing:
Light cotton in summer and woolen in winter (specially during November to January).

Tourist places in Sitamarhi

Introduction

Formely a subdivision of Muzaffarpur district, Sitamarhi was inaugurated as a district on December 11, 1972 by the then Bihar chief minister Late Kedar Pandey. Situated on the Indo-Nepal border, its population is around 25 lakh.

Sitamarhi is said to be the birthplace of Hindu goddess Sita, also revered as Janaki. The legend has it that the King of Janakpur (in Nepal, 60 km from here), ploughed the land here to get rid of a devastating drought, and it was in the course of the ploughing that he stumbled upon an earthen pot out of which Sita emerged. Hence, the place came to be known as Sitamarhi.

Places of Interest

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

One can visit the famous Janaki, Shiva and Parvati tem ples at Haleshwar Sthan, seven km from Sitamarhi, the dis- trict HQ town. Devotees as well as tourists visit these temples and the latter go on to see the famous Janakpur Dham in Nepal. The two cattle fairs – one on Navami during Navaratra in September-October and the other on ‘Vivah Panchami’ in the winter are held annually and attract thousands of visitors.HOW TO REACH

By Air:

Nearest Airport
Janakpur Dham, 60 km north; Patna, 150 km south.

By Rail:

Nearest railhead
Sitamarhi is situated 60 km north of Muzaffarpur and 70 km away from Darbhanga. It is well connected with road and is also on the railway map.

By Road:
Connected by good roads with all Indian cities.

Where to Stay:
Private Hotels, Rest houses and Dharmshalas at Sitamarhi.Hotel Sitayan,
STD Code: 06226, Phone: 250605
Hotel Kishore, Phone: 06226-253288
Hotel Raj Kumar, Phone: 06226-250347

Local Transport:
Auto rickshaws, Cycle-rickshaws, tangas.

In Emergency, Contact, STD Code: 06226
District Magistrate: 250515 (Res), 250439 (Off)
Superintendent of Police: 250421 (Res), 250526 (Off)

Medical Emergencies,Contact, STD Code: 06226
Dr. R.A.Sharma: 250499
Dr. Sita Ram Singh: 251330
Dr. Sanjay Singh: 254700
Dr. Renu Chatterjee: 254650

Tourist Season:
October to March.

Clothing:
Light cotton in summer and woolen in winter (specially during November to January).

Tourist places in Siwan

Introduction
Once a part of Saran district, Siwan became a separate district in the year 1972. This is the native district of India’s first president Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

The district is known for its ancient temples.A large number of devotess assemble at Mehdar temple or Anand Bagh Math and Sunder Bagh Math.People also throng Faridpur to have a glimpse of Ashiana,the house of Maulana Mazharul Haq,an eminent Bihari who stood for Hindu-Muslim unity.

Places of Interest

Zeeradei

Situated about 13 km from the district headquarters,zeeradei is known as the birthplace of India’s first president Dr. Rajendra Prasad,who was later conferred Bharat Ratna. Popularly called Rajendra babu by his friends and followers, Dr Prasad was a symbol of simplicity,truth and dedication.

Ashiana

This place is known as the native residence of Maulana Mazharul Haq,one of the greatest freedom fighters of the country and a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity

Anand Bagh Math & Sunder Bagh Math

Situated at Bakhri village in Siswan block of Siwanthe two temples are in fact “samadhi sthals” of two renowned saints,Swami Jaggannath Das ji and his guru Bhagwan das ji.Both the temples are located near the Daha river and thousands of devotees visit these temples every year.On auspicious days,there’s a huge rush of people as devotees from far flung places like Uttar Pradesh,West Bengal and New Delhi besides saran,Gopalganj,Jehanabad and Ara in Bihar come here.

Mahendra Nath Temple

Situated in Mehdar village under Siswan block, about 32 km south from the district headquarters, Mahendra Nath temple of Lord Shiva attracts visitors,including foreigners, from far flung areas.

Raghunathpur

Situated about 27 km south from the district head quarters,Raghunathpur is the place where Lord Rama is believed to have taken rest after killing demon Tarka near Buxar.Later, Lord Rama proceeded to Janakpur Dham after crossing river Saryu.

Bhikhabandh

This place symbolises the affectionate relationship between a brother and his sister.There exists a temple of brother-sister at Bhikhabandh village under the Maharjganj block of the district.According to folklore,a brother and sister laid down their lives fighting Mughals in the 14th century

Panchmukhi Shivalinga

There’s an old Shiva temple in Mahadeva locality of Siwan town which houses a “panchmukhi” or five faced Shivalinga. Locals insist the Shivlinga in the temple come out of the earth.One can also see the faces of Brahma,Vishnu and Mahesh on the Shivalinga. Hundreds of devotees throng this temple every day.On Mahashivratri,a fair is also held here.

Burhiya Mai Temple

Located on east-northern portion of Gandhi Maidan in Siwan town, this temple draws huge crowd of devotees, especiallyon Saturdays.Locals believe one’s wishes are fulfilled after worshipping the deity here. Offerings include new saris,fruits,flowers and coconuts.
HOW TO REACH

By Air:

Nearest Airport
Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport, Patna (146 kms) .

By Rail:

Nearest railhead
Siwan district HQ town is about 146 km in north from Patna, the state capital of Bihar. One can reach Siwan by road. A number of buses plybetween Patna and Siwan.One can also hiretaxi.

By Road:
A number of buses play between Patna and Siwan.One can also hire taxi.

Where to Stay:
Hotels, Rest houses and Dharmshalas in the Siwan Town.
Hotel Siwan International,station Road,Phone:-06154-223195
Prkash Hotel,Babuniya Mor,Phone:-06154-228182
Crown Hotel,Babuniya Mor,Phone:-06154-223449
Shanti Niwas,Babuniya Mor,Phone:-06154-242627

Local Transport:
Auto rickshaws, Cycle-rickshaws, tangas.

In Emergency,Contact:
District Magistrate: 06154-242099(Off) , 242098(Res)
Superintendent of Police: 242060(Off),242366(Res)

Medical Emergencies,Contact
Dr. Rajendra Prasad Singh: 06154-242269
Dr. J. N. Prasad: 06154-242437
Dr. H. K. Shah: 06154-242040
Dr. J. N. Prasad: 06154-241035

Tourist Season:
October to March.

Clothing:
Light cotton in summer and woolen in winter (specially during November to January).